HISTORY

Cowlitz Bancorporation is the holding company of Cowlitz Bank, which was established in 1977. In addition to its four branches in Cowlitz County Washington, Cowlitz Bank’s divisions include Bay Bank located in Bellevue, Seattle, and Vancouver, Washington; Portland and Wilsonville, Oregon; and Bay Mortgage in southwest Washington. Cowlitz specializes in commercial and international banking services for Northwest businesses, professionals, and retail customers, and offers trust services in Washington and Oregon.

MISSION

Cowlitz Bancorporation's mission is to be the premier commercial bank holding company in the Northwestern United States. Through banking, mortgage, trust and other financial services along with offices stretching from the north in Puget Sound, through southwest Washington and into Portland, Oregon, Cowlitz specializes in providing financial services to independently owned businesses and individuals. Each organization that is part of Cowlitz helps carry out this mission through dedication to three principles:

  • Customer first banking™, calling for the maximum level of professional service for each of Cowlitz's customers.
  • Employees' integrity, commitment to service, ethical behavior and genuine concern for our customers' well being.
  • Our belief that unless constantly nurtured, nothing is as short-lived as a good client.

With these guiding principles, Cowlitz Bancorporation will strive to deliver the best financial services to its Northwest markets, safe and sound economic support of its communities and optimal returns to its shareholders. Cowlitz's completion of this mission calls for constant attention to each of the key elements of its business:

People

Advanced training of employees, promotion and retention of qualified employees.

Loans

Careful nurturing of existing loan relationships and responsible growth in new loans.

Deposits

Long term, stable growth in core retail and wholesale relationships.

Expenses

Efficiency through consolidation of functions and training of employees.

Technology

Web-based and related technologies to improve delivery of services.

Shareholders

As a publicly traded corporation, Cowlitz takes very seriously its obligations to its owners. It will conduct banking activities in a safe and sound manner designed to serve the needs of the communities and produce reasonable returns for its shareholders.